Xianyun searched for the figure of Yu Xie, following her intuition and making her way towards the top floor.
Just around the corner, there was only one more flight of stairs to reach the top. A strong sense of foreboding told her that Yu Xie was likely there now.
But at that moment, she ran into Ge Chen.
The two of them froze for a moment, and the atmosphere felt a bit awkward.
"Didn't you say you were going back to rest?" Xianyun spoke first.
"I... still couldn't sleep, so I came out for a walk," Ge Chen replied, looking a bit guilty. Then he asked, "Weren't you also planning to rest?"
"…Same here, I still can't sleep." Xianyun turned her head away.
A brief silence followed, and after a moment, both of them couldn't help but laugh lightly.
"Well, I guess we really do have some unspoken understanding at times..." Xianyun rubbed her forehead.
"Let's go. Let's head up and take a look." Ge Chen started walking up the stairs.
They climbed the stairs together, and as they reached the top floor, the view before them made them both pause for a moment.
Yu Xie, Bonanus, and Indarias were leaning against the railing, looking out at the distant view. The moonlight bathed them, and they seemed to be chatting about something amusing.
Xianyun and Ge Chen exchanged a glance and couldn't help but smile helplessly.
Then, the two of them walked over together.
"Master Liu Yun, Master Ge Chen? You two can't sleep either?" Bonanus said.
....
The next day.
It was still early when Yu Xie woke up.
Although he hadn't slept much the previous night, strangely enough, he felt fully rested, as if every cell in his body had gotten enough rest. He was full of energy now.
After washing up and getting dressed, he went outside. It seemed that no one else was up yet.
So, he made his way down to the bottom of the inn.
The morning mist hung over Dihua Marsh like a delicate veil, clinging tightly to the surface of the water, making the entire island appear hazy and ethereal. The mysterious atmosphere made it feel as if he were in a fairyland, full of poetry and romance.
Yu Xie walked alone to the water's edge, and just then, he heard the sound of a caravan approaching.
Following the sound, he saw through the morning mist a caravan making its way along the road and stopping near the inn.
From the scale and style of the caravan, it seemed to belong to a person of high status, or at the very least, someone who was incredibly wealthy.
However, this didn't concern Yu Xie much. He planned to look away after a glance, but just then, someone alighted from the carriage, catching his attention.
She had beautiful golden hair, a black-and-white long dress, a deep red cloak, and a black butterfly-shaped mask on her face, all complementing her stunning beauty.
Yu Xie immediately recognized her identity—Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter, the Eighth Seat of the Fatui Harbingers, codename "The Fair Lady."
A question quickly popped into his mind.
Why was Rosalyne here?
According to the original storyline, she should have arrived in Liyue only after stealing Venti's Gnosis. Had she already succeeded in taking it?
As these doubts lingered in his mind, Yu Xie watched as Rosalyne walked into the Wangshu Inn.
He pondered for a moment before turning and heading back.
When he returned to the inn, it was still very early. The corridor was quiet, with no one else walking around.
Back in his room, Yu Xie sat at the desk, lost in thought.
The fact that Rosalyne appeared here—did it mean that, although everything was different now, things were still largely the same as before?
This question had no immediate answer.
When his mind became cluttered, it often became hard for him to sit still. Yu Xie decided to go to the rooftop for some fresh air.
The wind on the rooftop was still as refreshing as ever.
Yu Xie leaned against the railing, lost in his thoughts, when suddenly, the sharp sound of high heels echoed, the rhythmic tap-tap like a beat.
On the staircase, Rosalyne walked up.
The wind on the rooftop ruffled her golden hair, and as she saw Yu Xie, their eyes met for a brief moment.
Then, Rosalyne walked over to the railing and looked out at the distant view.
"Is this your first time here?" Rosalyne suddenly spoke.
"Sorry, are you talking to me?" Yu Xie asked, confused.
"Is there anyone else here?" Rosalyne glanced around and smiled lightly.
Yu Xie looked around, and indeed, there was no one else on the rooftop except the two of them.
"It's my first time here. The view is nice—it's a great place to relax."
"No, you're not here for the first time," Rosalyne contradicted Yu Xie's answer.
Hearing this, Yu Xie furrowed his brows. "What do you mean by that?"
"If I told you we've met before, would you believe me?" Rosalyne turned to face Yu Xie, smiling as she slowly walked toward him.
The sound of her high heels on the floor echoed, and Rosalyne's mature aura was undeniable.
Yu Xie was silent for a moment. "I don't remember us meeting before."
"Mm." Rosalyne simply hummed in response, offering no further explanation.
The morning air on the rooftop seemed even quieter than it had been during the night.
After a long pause, Rosalyne looked at Yu Xie and asked, "I've joined the Fatui. Will you blame me for that?"
"What?" Yu Xie didn't understand why Rosalyne would suddenly ask such a question.
"…Sorry, I asked a strange question." Rosalyne smiled, and there seemed to be a trace of hidden helplessness in her smile. "The view here is indeed beautiful, but I traveled all night. I think I'll go rest in my room first and then come back to enjoy it."
With that, Rosalyne turned and began to walk downstairs, her steps light and graceful, each one carrying a unique mature elegance.
As Yu Xie watched Rosalyne's figure disappear from his sight, he frowned slightly, feeling that something was off.
Rosalyne seemed to know him, but that shouldn't be possible.
Unless... it wasn't this life.
What had he done in his previous life?
Just then, the sunlight finally dispersed the morning mist, and warm rays of light spread across Dihua Marsh. The surface of the water reflected dazzling glimmers, like a golden sea. Yu Xie squinted his eyes, adjusting to the brightness. He gazed at the shimmering water, his mind filled with countless thoughts.
Rosalyne returned to her room. She walked over to the desk and sat down, pouring herself a cup of tea and drinking it in one go.
Then, she placed her hand on her left chest, feeling her heart beating faster.
Hundreds of years had passed, and yet… she had truly met Yu Xie again.
There was no mistake, Yu Xie hadn't changed at all—neither in appearance nor in aura.
But she had changed a lot. She was no longer the innocent young girl she once was.
Rosalyne looked at her hands.
Now, she was a member of the Fatui, and she had committed many wrongs. Did she still have the right to stand by Yu Xie's side?
End of chapter
Exclusive access : Get 270+ advanced chapters ahead of everyone else
Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz